Q. Are women encouraged to come to religious services? A. Encouraged? Necessary! TCOMD is not a men’s club. Q. May women touch the Torah? A. During the Hakafah (Procession) of the Torah from the Heihal (Ark) to the Tevah (Reader’s Desk) women carry the Scroll for half the time. Q. Do women participate in the service? A. Women regularly read psalms and may give the Dvar Torah (lesson on the week’s Torah reading). Women may recite haGomel during the Torah service. Q. Do women read from the Torah? A. If a woman is able to read from the Torah opportunity is provided. Women may not read for men, nor men for women. Q. Do women serve in leadership roles in the Synagogue? A. The Board of Directors is open to men and women equally.